1. International Visegrad Fund:
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
International Visegrad Fund:
Visegrad Group’s Tool for Regional Cooperation
[place], February 16, 2019

2. Visegrad Fund: Basic Characteristics
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Visegrad Fund: Basic Characteristics
preceded by the foundation of the Visegrad Group (CS+HU+PL) in 1991 → CZ+HU+PL+SK as of 1993
created as a counterpart to gov’t cooperation
key principle: gov’t funds → non-gov’t recipients
key aims: development of civil society, fostering the region’s internal cohesion
focus on non-EU neighborhood (since 2004):
Western Balkans (grant and scholarship funding)
Eastern Partnership countries (grant and scholarship funding, capacity building of civil servants)

3. Visegrad Fund: Basic Characteristics
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Visegrad Fund: Basic Characteristics
V4’s only (solid) organization to date
international organization accredited with SK MFA
equal rights of member states:
annual rotating presidency (January–December) (presidencies in the group: July–June)
rotating management (3-year missions)
consensus in decision-making
equal contributions of member states (€2M p.a.)
external funding (CA, DE, NL, KR, SE, CH, KR, US…)
2-member management + 14-member staff (+ interns)

4. The fund’s budget (2000–2014)
100% = €65,278,494 (total allocations)

5. Visegrad Fund: Main Aims
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Visegrad Fund: Main Aims
support of movement of people and ideas (“soft power”)
strengthening the internal cohesion of the region, (weakening of historical animosities, awareness-building)
instrument of joint V4 foreign policy (since 2004)
Western Balkans + Eastern Partnership
cooperation with EU/non-EU partners
key leverages: grant programs + “mobilities” (scholarships, fellowships, artist residencies)
other projects: NEE100, Visegrad Insight/V4Revue, CSMP

6. Program Overview (2015/2016) Academic and Mobility Programs
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Program Overview (2015/2016)
Academic and Mobility Programs
Grant Programs
Visegrad Scholarship Program:
Small Grants
Intra-Visegrad, In-Coming, Out-Going
Standard Grants
Visegrad Artist Residency Program (VARP):
Visegrad Strategic Grants
VARP—Visual & Sound Arts
Visegrad Strategic Conferences
VARP—Performing Arts
Visegrad+ (Western Balkans)
Visegrad Literary Residency Program
Visegrad 4 Eastern Partnership Program:
VARP in New York
Flagship Projects
Visegrad University Studies Grants
V4EaP (Extended) Standard Grants
Visegrad–Taiwan Scholarships
V4EaP Visegrad University Studies Grants
Visegrad Scholarships at OSA
IVF–NSC Taiwan Joint Research Projects
Civil Servant Mobility Program (UA, GE, MD)
Visegrad Insight/V4Revue/New Europe 100

7. Project Topics: Grant Programs 2000–2014
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Project Topics: Grant Programs 2000–2014
culture and arts—2,056 (29%)
education and trainings—1,745 (24%)
science and research—542 (8%)
public policy—326 (5%)
networking/partnerships—312 (4%)
media/ICT—295 (4%)
common identity—277 (4%)
social inclusion—220 (3%) …
100% = 4,581 grant projects approved in 2000–2014

8. Grant projects— all categories (2000–2014) €61,942,850 4,583 grant projects 578 cities

9. 15% (+ 7% tangible/intangible assets)
April 23–25, 2013
Basic Grant Programs
Small Grants
Standard Grants
Strategic Grants
Project budget
< €6,000
> €6,001 (ca. €13,000 on average)
€40,000 (on average)
Max. IVF share
80%
70%
Timeframe
6 months
12 months
12–36 months
Cash limit
50%
30%
20%
Overheads
15%
15% (+ 7% tangible/intangible assets)
Evaluation
50 working days
60 working days
Deadlines
March 1, June 1, Sept. 1, Dec. 1
March 15, Sept. 15
April 15
Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar

10. Key Grant Principles projects must have “Visegrad added value”
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Key Grant Principles
projects must have “Visegrad added value”
projects involve entities from at least 3 V4 countries*
grants cover up to 80% project costs (70% w/in Strategic Grants, 100% w/in Strategic Conferences)
reimbursements in tranches with advance payments (up to 80% of project costs)
15% overhead costs
costs documented through copies of invoices and bills
only a single project per applicant* (multiple project-partnerships possible)
* Strategic Grants, Visegrad+ projects and the V4EaP chapter are exceptions

11. Who Can Apply? majority of applicants are CSOs and other NGOs
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Who Can Apply?
majority of applicants are CSOs and other NGOs
primary/secondary schools, colleges + universities
municipalities, regional governments
other public institutions (museums, galleries, sports clubs)
individual citizens or even private companies
not organizations fully funded from state budgets, and/or state administration institutions (ministries, cultural institutes, etc.)

12. Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
What Cannot Be Covered?
tangible/intangible assets (with the exception of 7% allowed within Strategic Grants)
indirect costs (utilities, bills…) exceeding 15% overhead costs
internal costs and expenses exceeding 15% overhead costs
employments ruled by labor code (and related costs, such as per diems)

13. What Can Be Covered? printing and publishing costs
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
What Can Be Covered?
printing and publishing costs
website design and updates
rent of premises
expert fees and honoraria
accommodation and board
translation and interpreting
awards and prizes
advertising and promotional costs
office supplies, etc.

14. Visegrad Scholarship Program—Key Facts
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Visegrad Scholarship Program—Key Facts
Individual academic mobility:
within V4 region
between V4 region and the Western Balkans
between V4 region and the Eastern Partnership countries
MA/post-MA levels (PhD/postdoc)
no age limit, affiliation with university not required
1–4 semesters (MA level), or 1–2 semesters (post-MA)
support for both scholar and host institution: €2,300/semester + €1,500/semester (+ €200 travel grant)
annual deadline: January 31

15. Visegrad Scholarship Program
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Visegrad Scholarship Program
SCHOLAR/APPLICANT:
has completed min. 6 semesters of higher education (= BA equivalent at the time of assuming the scholarship)
picks any academic field , and any language of instruction
finds a host university/institute and requests (preliminary) acceptance letter
applies and submits on-line by January 31, and sends signed printout & accompanying documents
is eligible for €2,300/semester + €200 travel grant (where applicable)

16. Visegrad Scholarship Program
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Visegrad Scholarship Program
HOST UNIVERSITY/INSTITUTE:
any public of private accredited higher-education institution (college, university, art academy, science academy—lists of schools available at
confirms scholar’s acceptance (or his/her applying, where entrance exams required)
is eligible for a €1,500 lump sum per semester/each scholar

18. Funding by Recipient Regions (2000–2014)
100% = €61,934,733

19. The Western Balkans (2004–2014)
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
The Western Balkans (2004–2014)
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
100% = €1,650,715 (= 2.67% of total funding)

20. Eastern Partnership Countries (2004–2014)
April 23–25, 2013
Eastern Partnership Countries (2004–2014)
100% = €7,003,761 (= 11.31% of total funding)
Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar

21. Main Results stable and visible component of V4 cooperation
Podgorica, Sept. 19, 2014
Main Results
stable and visible component of V4 cooperation
stronger level of regional cooperation and cooperation with neighboring regions
good promotion of the region in the EU
contribution to “Visegrád” as a brand name
to date (by the end of 2014):
more than 4,500 grant projects
ca. 2,500 “mobilities” (scholarships/residencies)
total worth of nearly €62 million

22. Thank you for your attention.
Dr. Piotr Bajda